The Judiciary, in partnership with UN Women and key justice sector stakeholders, held a hybrid meeting yesterday afternoon to discuss the inception report for the baseline study of the Justice For Her Project. The meeting was chaired by the Registrar Planning, Research and Development, HW John Paul Edoku.
In his opening remarks, HW Edoku welcomed the initiative and commended UN Women for supporting the project. He urged all stakeholders to offer maximum support to ensure effective execution of the programme, which aims to improve access to justice for women and girls who experience violence.
Baseline study presentation
The draft inception report was presented by the Lead Consultant, Dr. Paul Bukuluki (PhD), together with Hon. Dora Christine Kanabahita Byamukama, Support Consultant. The report outlined a detailed plan for conducting the baseline study commissioned by UN Women.
The study will collect and analyse data for each project indicator, establish a benchmark to assess progress, and guide the development of a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation framework. Dr. Bukuluki emphasized that the study will not only provide insights into current conditions but also help refine project targets to ensure they are both realistic and measurable within the implementation period.
About the _Justice For Her_ Project
The Justice For Her Project is being piloted in Masaka, Gulu, and Nebbi High Court Circuits, regions selected due to high incidences of gender-based violence (GBV) and limited survivor-support systems. The Project seeks to improve timely access to quality justice services for women and girls, increase disposal of GBV cases, and enhance the use of survivor-centred services.
Its approach focuses on strengthening institutional capacity within the administration of justice, enabling fairer and more efficient handling of GBV cases. It also emphasizes survivor dignity, safety, and psychosocial well-being, while addressing structural barriers that deter reporting and limit survivor participation.
Furthermore, the project will foster multi-sectoral coordination among the Judiciary, ODPP, Police, Prisons, probation officers, community leaders, Legal Aid Service Providers, and civil society. It aims to establish fast-tracked GBV case-handling mechanisms to reduce backlog and attrition rates. The rollout of the project is expected by the end of this month.
Recommendations and way forward
Participants recommended that the consultants revise the draft inception report to incorporate stakeholder input, while reviewing the project logframe to capture expected institutional results. It was also agreed that the consultants provide an update on the process flow of SGBV case management, assess institutional capacity, including referral systems, and strengthen joint cause-listing practices.
The hybrid meeting was attended by HW Prossy Katushabe, Registrar High Court, Ms. Beatrice Mulindwa, Project Manager _Justice For Her_; Ms. Samali Wakooli, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions; Mr. Isaac Bbosa Sserunkuma, Senior Statistician, Judiciary; Mr. Benjamin Kachero, Senior Economist, Judiciary; and Ms. Beatrice Naava, Statistician, Judiciary. Representatives from the Uganda Police Force, Uganda Prisons Service, Legal Aid Service Providers, and civil society organizations also participated